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This table shows a list of retention activities at Penn State New Kensington

 Academic Retention Activities

Co-Curricular Retention Team Report & Activities

 

 

 

At Risk Letter from DAA (pdf)  - View Sample Letter

Overview of the activity/initiative: During the summer months, the DUS Coordinator will send a report to the DAA containing a list of incoming students who are classified as “at risk” based on the students’ performance on the Penn State placement tests for mathematics and their math SAT scores.  The DAA sends each “at risk” student a letter encouraging them to participate in remediation activities that are designed to help their transition from high school to university-level academic expectations including a Math Boot Camp offered in the summer and the recitation sections (MATH 097) offered during the academic year.

Target Audience:  Students who test into MATH 004 or below; borderline placement into MATH 21; borderline placement into MATH 140; and math SAT scores below 500.

Responsible for Implementation:  DUS Coordinator and DAA

Timeline:  June-August.  Once incoming students complete the online math placement test

Budget:  ~$70 for postage

 

 Math Boot Camp(pdf) – View Sample Letter


Overview of the activity/initiative:  Math Boot Camp is a summer instruction/tutoring program developed by PSNK’s Math Department to assist students who need to brush up on or remediate math skills prior to entering the Fall semester.  Typically two sessions are offered based on interest and need as determined by an analysis of the entering student data; the program is free to interested students: 

Session 1 is focused on pre-algebra skills and targets students who tested into MATH 004 or borderline into MATH 021.  This one week session beginning in mid-July (8:30-11:00 a.m.) provides daily instruction, one-on-one tutoring, and group study tables.  Dr. Javier Gomez-Calderon, Professor of Mathematics oversees the program.
Session 2 is focused on pre-calculus skills and targets students who placed marginally into MATH 140.  This one week session beginning the first week of August (8:30-11:00 a.m.) provides daily instruction, one-on-one tutoring, and group study tables.  Dr. Javier Gomez-Calderon, Professor of Mathematics oversees the program.

Target Audience:  Based on the Penn State Math Placement Test.  Students who place into MATH 004 or below; borderline placement into MATH 021; borderline placement into MATH 140. 

Responsible for Implementation:  Principle = Dr. Javier Gomez-Calderon; Consult = DAA and the Coordinator for Academic Advising Programs

Recommendations:  Data will be collected in order to assess the effectiveness of this activity and to provide justification for grant funds.

Timeline:  June-August.  Once incoming students complete the Math Placement Test, The Coordinator for Academic Advising Programs (CAAP) will provide a list of students who meet the above criteria; the DAA sends a letter of invitation to students notifying them of the Math Boot Camp sessions (see attached).   The Staff Assistant in Academic Affairs will make follow up phone calls to those students who do not respond.

Budget:  ~ $1,000-$1,500; Retention Fund Grant and NSF Toys ‘N More Grant

 

FTCAP

Overview of the activity/initiative:  FTCAP is a university-wide academic orientation program.  At New Kensington, the overarching goal of FTCAP is to facilitate early engagement in academic decision making and educational planning while empowering students to take ownership of their academic success.  Students are given information in traditional presentation formats.   Also, they participate in interactive sessions and pre-FTCAP homework assignments that help them to: 1) understand placement results 2) adjust to the differences in expectations of colleges students as opposed to high school students 3) goal setting, 4) academic planning 5) relate their interests to the University’s opportunities 6)  a second phase of admissions to ensure that they are in the correct academic program once these things have been considered.

Target Audience:  All first year degree and provisional students Penn State New Kensington. 

Responsible for Implementation:  Sean Bridgen

Recommendations:  N/A 

Timeline:  This will be implemented University-wide for the Fall 2009 semester

Budget:  6,000

 

Faculty Advisor Training

Overview of the activity/initiative:  Create a modular faculty adviser training program that covers the following topics:

·         Theory and Philosophy of Advising

·         Advising resources

·         Conducting affective advising interviews

·         Academic policies

Target Audience:  Faculty advisers at Penn State New Kensington

Responsible for Implementation:  Sean Bridgen

Recommendations:  N/A

Timeline:  This will be implemented University-wide for the Fall 2009 semester

Budget:  100 dollars for refreshments.

 

Moving Students from Scheduled to Registered Status

Target Audience:  Students still in scheduled status.

Activity:  Phone students offering assistance with the process.

Budget:  None

 

Retention Survey

 

Overview of the activity/initiative:  The retention survey is an on-line assessment tool that will provide valuable information relative to why students do not re-enroll at Penn State New Kensington.  The survey requests demographic information, reasons for leaving, and an evaluation of their PSNK experience.

 

1)      Current University, Trade or Technical School

2)      Male vs Female

3)      Commuters vs Non Commuters

4)      Distance of Commuters

5)      Apartment Residents vs Non Apartment Residents

6)      Reasons for Leaving i.e.  Financial, Social, Facilities, Advising, Personal, Career, Work, Health, Family, Military, Major, Programs, etc.

7)      Plan to re-enroll at Penn State New Kensington

8)      Overall Experience

 

Target Audience:  Student who do not re-enroll in classes at Penn State New Kensington after first semester and/or first year.

Responsible for Implementation:  Principle Pepsi Hutton and Mary Dubbick; Consult = DAA

Recommendations:  Data will be collected and analyzed to determine why students are leaving Penn State New Kensington. Based on data recommendations will be made for student retention programs as needed.

Timeline:  During the eighth week of fall and spring semester students will receive an email to the Penn State email account with the retention survey link that can be completed on-line.  A follow-up post card with the survey link will be sent to students who do not complete the survey.  Prior to the end of the semester students who did not complete the survey and/or respond will be contacted by phone to complete the survey.

Budget:  -Cost of Postcard mailer based on students not returning. $1-100 per semester.

 

Cohort Data Analysis

 

Early Progress Report

Activity:  Early Progress Reports (EPR)

Overview of the activity/initiative:  (from www.psu.edu/advising/epr.htm) EPR is an early alert system accessed through eLion that will notify students who are earning less than a C in one or more of their courses.  It is an implementation of Faculty Senate policy 47-70 Online Student Progress Report (Formerly Mid-Semester Evaluation). 

 

Target Audience:  All undergraduate students at Penn State New Kensington. 

Responsible for Implementation:  This is a University-wide system.  Sean Bridgen will coordinate EPR at the New Kensington campus.

Recommendations:  All Faculty will be required to participate actively in EPR. 

Timeline:  This will be implemented University-wide for the Fall 2009 semester

Budget:  N/A

 

MATH 097

Activity:  MATH 097

Overview of the activity/initiative:  MATH 097 is a one credit, once a week group tutoring session held by math instructors to help students with math skills.  Students enroll based on the math for which they are currently enrolled.  Students self-identify, but a math instructor may strongly suggest enrollment in the course.  Enrollment for each section of MATH 097 varies between 20-35, according to need.  Current sections are as follows:  1 section for Math 4 and 21, 1 section for Math 22 and 26, and 1 section for Calc. 1. 

 

Target Audience:  Enrollment consists of students who need or desire extra help/review of math skills, or support to help with problems assigned in math class. 

Responsible for Implementation:  Math Instructors

Recommendations:  Each targeted math course is assigned a section of MATH 097.  Sessions are held in classrooms and in the Academic and Career Success Center, to integrate instruction, tutoring, and studying in a supportive environment.

Timeline:  Students should enroll in MATH 097 by the second week of classes.  Grading is assessed by attendance and participation.

Budget:  N/A

 

ENGLISH/WRITING LAB AND PEER TUTORS

Activity:    English, Writing Lab and Peer Tutors

Overview of the activity/initiative:  Information regarding the Learning Center and the activities involved in the writing lab and peer tutors can be found at the Learning Center web site:  http://nk.psu.edu/StudentServices/LRC/lrc.htm

 

First Year Engagement 

Undergraduate Research - View web site